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737            <h1 class="h1 post-title mt-0">Zambia’s Catholic Bishops Call for Responsible Action, Dialogue and Peace Amid Growing Political Polarisation</h1>
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743                <span class="image-caption">Members of the Zambia Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCCB). Credit: ZCCB</span>
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755                        <img
756                        alt="Silas Isenjia"
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764                    <div class="post-author"><p>By <a href="/author/68/silas-isenjia">Silas Isenjia</a></p></div>
765                </div>
766                <p class="post-info">Lusaka, 30 September, 2026 / 11:55 pm (ACI Africa).</p>
767    <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The</span><a href="https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/org/conference-111"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (ZCCB) has raised concerns over growing political polarisation and the manipulation of ethnic identities and tribal sentiments for political purposes, among others, calling for responsible action to promote peace and justice.</span></p>
768        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122180213420968802&amp;set=pcb.122180213750968802"><span style="font-weight: 400;">a pastoral statement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> issued on Wednesday, September 30, following their extraordinary plenary meeting on Tuesday, September 29, the Catholic Bishops also expressed concern over what they described as the shrinking space for freedom of expression, particularly for the media and civil society.</span></p>
769        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Taken together, these developments call for urgent attention. They risk weakening trust between citizens and institutions and deepening divisions in our society,” the Bishops say in the statement they issued amid</span><a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24419/zambian-catholic-archbishop-released-on-bail-after-night-in-jail"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">legal proceedings</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> involving Archbishop</span><a href="https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbanda.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Alick Banda</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the</span><a href="https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlusa.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
770        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Catholic Bishops in Zambia add, “We therefore believe that the present moment requires not silence or resignation, but responsible action directed towards peace, justice, reconciliation and the common good.”</span></p>
771        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops explained that their position as far as the developments in the country are concerned is rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly its emphasis on human dignity, justice and the common good.</span></p>
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791            <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Citing the Second Vatican Council, they noted that “the political community exists for the common good,” arguing that political authority must serve the dignity and welfare of citizens and operate within the framework of justice, truth and the rule of law.</span></p>
792        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They also reflected on the biblical warning in Isaiah against unjust laws and oppressive decrees, saying the passage serves as a reminder that “power is never an end in itself” but a responsibility entrusted for the service of others.</span></p>
793        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops said peace should not be understood merely as the absence of conflict, but as the rejection of hatred, violence, revenge, tribalism and political intolerance.</span></p>
794        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They emphasised that no political interest, party loyalty or ethnic identity should justify violations of human dignity or social and ethnic tensions,</span></p>
795        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Catholic Bishops urged political leaders and actors to put the common good above partisan interests and be accompanied by justice, truth, reconciliation and respect for human dignity.</span></p>
796                <div class="box post-widget related-post">
797                    <h4 class="box-title"><span>More in Africa</span></h4>
798                    <div class="cards-grid">
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800                            <div class="card">
801                                <div class="card-image">
802                                    <a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation"><img src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/zccb-image-1_1764057349_1787051090_1788371116_1790840449.webp" alt="Zambia"></a>
803                                </div>
804                                <div class="card-content">
805                                    <h3 class="card-title"><a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation">Zambia’s Catholic Bishops Call for Responsible Action, Dialogue and Peace Amid Growing Political Polarisation</a></h3>
806                                    <a href="https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24421/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-responsible-action-dialogue-and-peace-amid-growing-political-polarisation" class="read-more">Read the article</a>
807                                </div>
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810                    </div>
811                </div>            <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our Christian faith therefore calls us to reject hatred, violence, revenge, tribalism and political intolerance,” they said, urging instead “conversion of heart, forgiveness, dialogue, solidarity and the courage to seek the truth.”</span></p>
812        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ZCCB members called for renewed commitment to the dignity of every person, emphasising that no political interest, party loyalty or ethnic identity should justify violations of human dignity or the taking of innocent life.</span></p>
813        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They urged the protection of constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of institutions, saying public institutions should serve as instruments of justice and service rather than sources of fear.</span></p>
814        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On political engagement, the Bishops called for genuine dialogue to address political, social and ethnic tensions, while urging political leaders and actors to put the common good above partisan interests and reject inflammatory language, tribalism, violence and political intolerance.</span></p>
815        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They further appealed to citizens to resist provocation and the misuse of social media to “misinform, disinform and insult others,” while exercising their rights and responsibilities for the protection of every person's right to due process and access to justice and urged an end to arbitrary arrests peacefully.</span></p>
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1001            <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops also called for the protection of freedom of expression and association, as well as the legitimate space for the media, civil society and citizens to participate in national affairs.</span></p>
1002        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called for the protection of every person's right to due process and access to justice and urged an end to arbitrary arrests, intimidation and political violence.</span></p>
1003        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops said the country also needed a renewed culture of national solidarity, warning that political differences, ethnicity and other interests should not be allowed to undermine the bonds holding Zambians together.</span></p>
1004        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops called for a sustained process of national dialogue, reconciliation and healing involving people and institutions across political, ethnic, religious and social differences.</span></p>
1005        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They also urged measures to strengthen the independence, credibility and effectiveness of institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy, constitutionalism, justice and the rule of law and strengthen them where necessary to ensure citizens have confidence that their votes are protected and that electoral outcomes are managed transparently.</span></p>
1006                            <p style="text-align: center;"><b>(Story continues below)</b></p>
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1008  
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1017            <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On elections, the Bishops called for electoral processes to be reviewed and strengthened where necessary to ensure citizens have confidence that their votes are protected and that electoral outcomes are managed transparently and credibly.</span></p>
1018        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They further called for civic and constitutional education, particularly among young people, as well as stronger peace-building and reconciliation initiatives at national, provincial, diocesan, community and grassroots levels.</span></p>
1019        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Church leaders also advocated greater protection for freedom of expression, freedom of association, responsible journalism and the legitimate work of civil society, alongside pastoral, humanitarian and legal support for people and families affected by violence, arbitrary detention, intimidation and other forms of injustice.</span></p>
1020        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called for a culture of accountability and responsible leadership in which those entrusted with authority understand power as service and remain answerable to the people and the law.</span></p>
1021        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ZCCB members said their intervention was intended not to deepen fear but to offer hope to citizens anxious about the country's future.</span></p>
1022        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Church hears their concerns, shares their desire for peace and justice, and will continue to accompany them,” they said, reaffirming their commitment to prayer, listening, dialogue and follow-up action.</span></p>
1023        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They called on all people of goodwill to work together for a Zambia where human dignity is respected, justice is accessible, differences can be expressed peacefully and power is exercised as service.</span></p>
1024        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They urged Zambians to choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, truth over falsehood, justice over impunity and solidarity over division.</span></p>
1025        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bishops encouraged Catholics in the country to use October, the month of rosary to pray for peace and justice.</span></p>
1026        <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“More than ever before, we urge our clergy, religious and the lay faithful to gather in numbers in their chosen places for the Rosary and ensure that no day goes without reciting this powerful prayer for the peace we passionately desire for this nation,” they said.</span></p>
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1032                      <img style="border-radius: 50%; margin: 0; width: 75px;" src="https://www.aciafrica.org/images/authors/untitled-design-73_1687505889.png?w=96&h=96" alt="Silas Isenjia" loading="lazy" />
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1035                  <div class="col-auto"><p>Silas Mwale Isenjia is a&nbsp;Kenyan journalist with a great&nbsp;zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor&rsquo;s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience&nbsp;in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.</p></div>
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1284                via: "aciafricanews"
1285            }
1286        },
1287        url_transforms: {
1288            shorten: {
1289                twitter: 'bitly'
1290            }
1291        },
1292        shorteners: {
1293            bitly: {}
1294        }
1295    }
1296</script>
vendor: 1 bytes, line 1296
1296
1297<script type='text/javascript'>
1298    googletag.cmd.push(function () {
1299        var mappingTopBanner = googletag.sizeMapping().
1300            addSize([992, 0], [[728, 90]]). //desktop
1301            addSize([768, 0], [[728, 90]]). //tablet
1302            addSize([320, 0], [[320, 50]]). //mobile
1303            addSize([0, 0], [[320, 50]]). //other
1304            build();
1305
1306        var mappingArticleFooter = googletag.sizeMapping().
1307            addSize([992, 0], [[468, 60]]). //desktop
1308            addSize([768, 0], [[468, 60]]). //tablet
1309            addSize([320, 0], [[300, 250]]). //mobile
1310            addSize([0, 0], [[300, 250]]). //other
1311            build();
1312
1313        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_a', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-0').addService(googletag.pubads());
1314        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_b', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-1').addService(googletag.pubads());
1315        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_sidebar_c', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-2').addService(googletag.pubads());
1316        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_1', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-0').addService(googletag.pubads());
1317        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_2', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-1').addService(googletag.pubads());
1318        googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_top_banner', [[320, 50], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1481822258740-0').defineSizeMapping(mappingTopBanner).addService(googletag.pubads());
1319        // googletag.defineSlot('/1319756/aci_a_article_footer ', [[300, 250], [468, 60]], 'div-gpt-ad-1507207562539-0').defineSizeMapping(mappingArticleFooter).addService(googletag.pubads());
1320        googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
1321        googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();
1322        googletag.enableServices();
1323    });
1324</script>
vendor: 1 bytes, line 1324
1324
1325<script>
1326    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-0'); });
1327    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-1'); });
1328    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1422466279351-2'); });
1329    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-0'); });
1330    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1441212700470-1'); });
1331    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1481822258740-0'); });
1332</script>
1332
1333
1334<!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
1335<script src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-5d547f1802de55fd"></script>
1335
1336
1337    
1337<script type="text/javascript">
1338    $(document).ready(function(){
1339        if($('.post-slider').length){
1340            var postGallery = new Swiper('.swiper-container', {
1341                spaceBetween: 2,
1342                navigation: {
1343                    nextEl: '.swiper-button-next',
1344                    prevEl: '.swiper-button-prev',
1345                },
1346                pagination: {
1347                    el: '.swiper-pagination',
1348                    clickable: true,
1349                    renderBullet: function (index, className) {
1350                        return '<span class="' + className + '">' + (index + 1) + '</span>';
1351                    },
1352                },
1353            });
1354        }
1355        $('li.' + 'africa ').addClass('active');
1356    });
1357</script>
1357
1358    
1359<script type="module" src="https://static.cloudflareinsights.com/beacon.min.js/v31edd6df95cf4e85bb4c19e7a9bdbcba1788362987495" integrity="sha512-iIg7k2xntmwu6/uSb5tpc/hySgZc4eoL31yB29W6tJFo2akwjPWcEqnCEdJvGexCL0KEQwVYv5BlowfhVz26hg==" data-cf-beacon='{"version":"2024.11.0","token":"84bb4b34443844fa99235ea1ed4f7cae","spa":2}' crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
1359
1360</body>
1361</html>

Line numbers count LF bytes from the start of the resource, as the search results do. Vendor segments are library code the classifier recognised; they are stored but not indexed. Bytes are shown as Latin1 characters, one per byte.